The catchy tune “Occidentali’s Karma” has already broken several records, on YouTube the video clip already has more than 50 million views. The song became gold status within a week and double platinum within a month. For Eurovision the song had to be shortened to three minutes. It still has a special atmosphere, a feel-good song with great winning chances. Italy has never been so close to victory like this year. The song is probably going to be a summer hit, at least in Italy and probably everywhere else. With the gorilla on stage it will stick to people’s mind and that is very important to have something to click on.

The national final in Italy is the well-established and popular San Remo Festival, which is lasting a week long. This year the winner Francesco Gabbani has been chosen to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest as well. The funny and ambitious guy has captured the hearts of the Italians by a storm with his smash hit “Occidentali’s Karma” (karma of the Western world). It was not only a pleasure to watch the entry in the audience or at the television, even the orchestra had a lot of fun to support Francesco. The most striking thing is the gorilla on stage which give a certain uniqueness. At the end, Italy is sending a great favourite to Kiev.

Francesco Gabbani is a cool guy, who is born in Cararra, Tuscany in 1982. He grew up in a family of musicians, his father is a drummer and therefore he plays drums and the guitar. In the age of 18 he has been a member of the group Trikobalto. This band was also the opening band for Oasis in Italy, they have released two albums. After that Francesco has started his solo career releasing one album "Greitist Iz". In 2016 he received the newcomer price “Amen”. Francesco and his brother Filipp co-composed the song together with Fabio Ilacqua and Luca Chiavarlli.

The catchy tune “Occidentali’s Karma” has already broken several records, on YouTube the video clip already has more than 50 million views. The song became gold status within a week and double platinum within a month. For Eurovision the song had to be shortened to three minutes. It still has a special atmosphere, a feel-good song with great winning chances. Italy has never been so close to victory like this year. The song is probably going to be a summer hit, at least in Italy and probably everywhere else. With the gorilla on stage it will stick to people’s mind and that is very important to have something to click on. Congratulazione!

About me: Due to the fact that my parents are musicians, I have a gained a great enthusiasm for music. Since 1979 my interest in the Eurovision Song Contest has grown enormously. My first ESC I joined was in Dublin 1995. Six years later I founded the website eurovisionlive.com in the year 2001. The most fascinating part for me is the original idea of the Eurovision Song Contest – the peaceful contest of the European countries. I am very happy that I have the chance to contribute my little part for the greatest music show in the world.